Introduction, and my favorite finds from 2017-Current

[CanebrakeRattlesnake]

Hey guys! I was finally able to make an account here which was definitely an adventure in itself. My emails weren't sending to Scott properly so I had to message someone on Facebook (if you're reading this, thank you very much once again!) and he was able to somehow find someone who was able to activate my account for me.

As for an introduction, I've been interested in wildlife ever since I was a small child. My mom used to be a traveling nurse so I basically got to grow up exploring various different states, cultures, and of course seeing tons of cool wildlife! My favorite places I've ever lived were California, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico (and hopefully, we're moving back out there next Summer! Fingers crossed). I'm currently a 20 year old gal living in Wisconsin with my parents. They're not as gung-ho about Herping as I am, but they really enjoy getting outdoors with me and exploring which is nice.

Although I never manage to find a big variety of species, I'm working on finding different areas to explore so hopefully I'm able to find some cool things before I move next year (mostly hoping for a C. horridus, which is one of my favorite rattlesnake species)

Anyways, now for some pictures! A few things were taken with a Nikon Coolpix L810 but after it finally kicked the bucket my dad surprised me with my very first DSLR, a Nikon D3400 with two kit lenses (18-55mm and 70-300mm). Hopefully before next year I can save up and get a nice Macro lens (I'm eyeing the AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm F/2.8G IF-ED)

Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta belli) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Eastern Fox Snake (Pantherophis vulpinus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Eastern Fox Snake (Pantherophis vulpinus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

This guys symmetrical markings are really pleasing to my OCD brain
Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) by Alex Richards, on Flickr


And now, for some non-herp critters:

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea sp.) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Monarch (Danaus plexippus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Monarch (Danaus plexippus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr

Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) by Alex Richards, on Flickr


I hope you guys enjoyed my pictures! I'm always looking out for new tips and tricks so don't be afraid to tell me what I'm doing wrong

[Fieldherper]

Awesome photos!

FH

[CanebrakeRattlesnake]

Awesome photos!

FH

Thank you very much!

[Mike VanValen]

Hey, Alex. Great close-ups, especially the map turtle.

[CanebrakeRattlesnake]

Hey, Alex. Great close-ups, especially the map turtle.

Thanks Mike!

[the_cw1]

Hey Alex,

I really like the pictures. Every time I see reports from Wisconsin I take note of the blanding's! They were hard to come by in Michigan. Maybe I should have made the drive, haha.

Good luck out there. Thanks for posting.

-Derek

[John Martin]

Your pics are already high quality! Welcome to the forum, and I concur on your choice of macro lens . I've been using the older, pre VR version for years and I love the quality it gives me.

[CanebrakeRattlesnake]

Thank you guys! I'm working on a list of herps I wanna find this year and next before I move, so hopefully once I get my new lens I'll be able to take some cool shots!

...Now I just need to convince my parents to drive for a few hours since I don't live near any of the counties I want to herp in

[Jimi]

I'll chime in - nice pics!

Blanding's turtle would be cool to see - I haven't ever seen one of those. I have only been up that way a few times, never seriously herping.

It's fun to see that your N leopard frogs also have a green morph and a brown one. That's how they are here in Utah too.

convince my parents to drive

Ah, I remember those days pretty fondly. It's much better now, of course, driving myself. But that was some pretty quality time with the 'rents. Usually my mom - dad hates snakes. Still. Ha ha.

cheers

[Tamara D. McConnell]

Beautiful photos! I love the turtle and bird shots. The blue jay is luminous!

[Fire Drake]

Welcome to the forum, Alex. There's nothing quite like it...lot's of fun for sure.

[CanebrakeRattlesnake]

Thanks so much for all the feedback guys, it means a lot to get such a warm welcome!

And yeah Jimi, when I found him I had no idea what he was (I'm better with snakes than with turtles), but I just knew that he was something special.